Laundry iron



July 18, 1939. J. SBAKER 2,166,334 I LAUNDRY IRON Filed July 15, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR JAMES SELDON BAKER BY W1? ATTO RNEY J. s. BAKER LAUNDRY IRON July 18, 1939.

Filed July 15, 1957- 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ma K N A R M .T O A 06 L E M J,

y 1939- J. 5. BAKER 2,166,334

LAUNDRY IRON Filed July 15, 1957. 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 /N\/ENTOR JAMES SELDON BAKER LAUNDRY I RON.

Filed July 15, 1937 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR JAMES 51100: BAKER ATTORNEY Patented July 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LAUNDRY IRON Application July 15, 1937, Serial No. 153,809 In Australia July 17, 1936 Claims.

This invention relates to laundry irons whose construction is such that they are adapted to be heated by utilizing kerosene or liquid fuel of similar character.

Heretofore laundry irons have been designed for use with highly inflammable liquid fuels, the utilization of such fuels being dangerous. In such irons it was not possible, however, to utilize for heating purposes kerosene or fuel of similar char- 10 acter.

Furthermore, in laundry irons at present known a stand is required upon which to rest the heated iron when the latter is not in use.

According to the invention a laundry iron is provided in which kerosene or like heavy liquid fuels can be utilized for heating purposes, the said iron being also designed to be readily handled by a user thereof. No rest stand for the iron is required. Such iron can be easily heated, and it may be placed in vertical position when it is desired to impart heat to it in the first instance, or when the user may desire to do so during ironing operations. Proper heating of the iron can also be safely and readily regulated. Further, the upper portion of the iron, especially the handle portion thereof, is always kept cool to prevent undue inconvenience to a user. Again, the iron is also far more economical in use than irons of known construction in which liquid fuel is utilized for the heating thereof.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which the invention is illustrated, Fig. 1 is a per.- spective view of one construction of a laundry iron in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a view of the iron showing its top cover removed therefrom; Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation on plane 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a sectional detail View of the fuel supply pipe in relation to the liquid fuel reservoir; Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the interior of one form of sole plate for the iron; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation on line 'l 'l.of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is a perspective view (partly in section) illustrating the iron disposed in vertical position; Fig. 9 is a sec tional detail view to an enlarged scale of the cooperative end of the pump chamber and the filler cap relative to the liquid fuel reservoir of the iron; Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional View to an enlarged scale of valve liquid fuel suppier and burner nipple associated therewith; Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of said valve and its casing on line IIII of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another construction of the laundry iron; Fig. 13 is an approximate central longitudinal sectional elevation thereof; Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation on plane I4I4 of Fig. 12; Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation on line I5--I5 of Fig. 13; Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the interior of another form of sole plate for the iron; Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the iron in vertical position with the sole plate thereof removed therefrom; Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional elevation on line i8-I8 of Fig. 14; and Fig. 19 is a sectional detailv view of the nipple burner and valve control.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 11 in which similar numerals refer to similar parts, the iron shown therein has a sole plate 2 which is hollowed inter- 15 nally and furnished on its internal surface with a plurality of pin fins 3, which are staggered and vertically disposed in relation to such surface for heat distribution purposes in relation to the outer or ironing surface of the said plate 2. Sole plate 2 has also an anti-hot spot 4, same having a ramp 20 5 utilizable as a flame spreader. Upon the sole plate 2 is mounted a partition plate I by the screws 8; the latter also serve to secure the bridge piece 9 to the sole plate 2. The peripheral edges of the partition plate 1 preferably correspond to that of the sole plate 2 and such plate is spaced upwardly therefrom to form a gap II at such edges through which heated gases from the iron can escape to atmosphere. The bridge piece 9 r has secured to it by screws !3 a dome-shaped cover I2 whose peripheral edges correspond to that of the sole plate 2; screws I3 also serve for fastening the bracket I4 to the bridge piece 9. Bracket I4 supports ahollow heat non-conductive handle I5 in which can be accommodated a pump barrel I6 (Fig. 2). One end of the pump barrel I6 is rigidly secured to a liquid fuel reservoir I8, while the other end thereof is fitted with a clamping nut I9 to allow the pump barrel IB and handle I5 to be firmly fastened to the bracket I4 and 49 also to allow the reservoir I8 to be supported on said barrel and handle.

Reservoir I8 is furnished with a removable filler cap 20 secured to the reservoir I8 by screw sleeve 2| (Fig. 9); reservoir I8 also has an air 5 conduction pipe 22 closable by a ball valve 23 located within an adjustable screwable cap 24 furnished with a passage 25 to outer air. The inner end of the air conduction pipe 22 extends into an extension of the rear end of the pump barrel I6 in open communication with the reser-- voir I8, (Fig. 9), whereby when the iron is placed in vertical position (Fig. 8), and if the ball valve 23 is off its seating. liquid fuel cannot escape from the reservoir I8. 55

In the pump barrel l6 and at its rear end in communication with the reservoir I8 is a non-return valve 21; a plunger 28 is also disposed in said barrel and isassociated with one end of a plunger rod 30, the opposite end of the latter being furnished with a hand grip 29 located exteriorly of the barrel [6. With the hand grip 29 is associated arm 3| adapted to pass through a slot 32 in the end cap 33 of the pump barrel l6, the cap 33 having a bearing 34 for the plunger rod 30. During ironing operations the plunger rod when not required can be pushed inwardly and given a quarter turn whereby such rod by such movements will be retained within the barrel I6 through the arm 3| being placed out of alignment with the slot 32. Located in the bottom of the reservoir 18 is a nipple 40 the open mouth of which within such reservoir is furnished with a gauze strainer 35 (Fig. 5). Connected to the other end of the nipple is one end of a coiled liquid fuel feed pipe 36 the other end of which is connected to the tube 31 (Figs. 3, 4 and 10) the latter being located between the partition 1 and the interior of the sole plate 2. Tube 31 is provided with a valve seating 4| to receive a manually operable valve 38 (Fig. 10) formed on a stem 39, whereby supply of liquid fuel from the reservoir l8 for use in heating the iron may be cut off. The stem 39 has a needle 44 which forms a cleaner for the fuel passage 45 of the nipple 42 which is carried by the tube 31. Stem 39 fits snugly within the tube 31 and can be D-shaped in cross-section (Fig. 11) whereby a very narrow fuel passage 46 will be provided between the valve stem 39 and the tube 31. Liquid fuel which passes along such passage 46 is quickly vaporized. Such valve stem 39 at its other end is loosely connected at 49 to a screw-threaded rod 48 which has a turnable knob 50 and is adapted to pass through a packing gland 5| securable to the tube 31.

Tube 31 with its nipple 42 enters a mixing chamber 53 (Fig. 4) Within the cover l2, an air inlet 54 being in communication with such chamber and located in said cover. Associated with the chamber 53 is one end of a tube 55 which is coiled in any suitable manner and to the other end of which the rose burner 56 is connected. Burner 56 passes through an opening in the partition 1 and is located over the tube 31 and the ramp 5 of the anti-hot spot 4. Flame from the burner 56 is thus enabled to impinge upon the tube 31 whereby fuel in such tube can be readily vaporized. To increase heating effect of such flame on the tube 31 battle means 58 can if desired be formed integrally with the inner surface of the sole plate 2 (Fig. 6).

Ailixed to the partition plate 1 and located between said plate and the sole plate 2 of the iron is a cup 60 which can be furnished with a spout 6| adapted to extend slightly beyond the peripheral edge of the cover l2. When the iron is placed in vertical position (Fig. 8) the cup 69 can be charged with say methylated spirits, which on being ignited flame therefrom will impinge against and along the tube 31 thereby heating such tube. During such heating of the tube 31 emission of air from the reservoir [8 through the pipe 22 is prevented by placing the ball valve 23 in closed relation to its seating, this being accomplished by operating the screwable cap 24. Plunger 30 can then be turned so that the arm 3| will be placed in alignment with the slot 32 and subsequently withdrawn from the barrel l6 and reciprocated whereby through such reciprocation air from the barrel 16 will be forced through the casing of the non-return valve 21 into the reservoir l8, thereby forcing liquid fuel from said reservoir l8 into the tube 31. Liquid within the tube 31 will be vaporized before it passes through the nipple 42.

Gas from the nipple 42 enters the mixing chamber 53 wherein it is mixed with air entering thereinto through the air inlet 54 in the cover I 2. Such combustible gas mixture passes through the tube 55 to the rose burner 56; flames from the cup 60 will preheat liquid fuel admitted to the tube 31 and will also ignite gas issuing from such burner 56. When the methylated spirits in the cup 60 become exhausted, flame from the burner 56 will keep the tube 31 heated. Flame from the burner 56 also impinges against the ramp 5 of the anti-hot spot 4 and is thereby spread with the result that the sole plate 2 of the iron is heated. To extinguish the flame from the burner 56 the air conduction pipe 22 is made open to atmosphere by operating the screw cap 24, thereby allowing compressed air in the reservoir l8 to escape therefrom. To prevent liquid from the reservoir [6 escaping through the nipple 42 the knob 56 is operated whereby the valve 33 will be placed on its seating 4|.

The cover l2 can be furnished with an opening 51 adapted to register with a similar opening 59 in the partition 1; both openings 51 and 59 are arranged in alignment with the rose burner 56, whereby requisite adjustment can be made of the flame from the burner 56 through observations for this purpose made through the openings 51 and 59.

Referring to Figs. 12 to 19, in which another construction of laundry iron in accordance with the invention is shown, similar parts of the iron as hereinbefore described bear similar reference numerals, and other parts bear other reference numerals as hereinafter referred to.

The iron consists of a sole plate 62, which is hollowed internally and its internal surface is furnished with staggered vertically disposed heat spreader fins 63 (Fig. 16) for distribution of heat throughout the sole plate 62. To the lugs 64 of the sole plate 62 can be attached by screws 65 a dome-shaped cover 66 the peripheral edges of which can be shaped to correspond with that of the sole plate 62, but spaced upwardly therefrom to form a gap 61 through which heated gases may escape from the iron to atmosphere. Such cover 66 is provided with a bottom plate 68 which forms a partition having openings 10 (Fig. 1'7) through which lugs 64 on the sole plate 62 can pass; partition 68 is loosely afiixed to the cover 66. The cover 66 has a plurality of Vents 12 therein to permit escape of heated air from the space between the cover 66 and the partition plate 68.

Cover 66 is attachable by the screws l3 to a bracket l4; the latter supports the handle l5 containing the pump barrel which communicates with the reservoir [8 as described abovementioned in connection with the construction of iron shown in Figs. 1 to 11 of the drawings.

Secured to the reservoir I8 is a liquid fuel feed pipe 14, the open mouth of which is. provided with a filter gauze 15, and is situated above the shallow well 13 located in the bottom of the reservoir I8; said pipe 14 extends between the sole plate 62 and the partition plate 68. Pipe 14 is provided with a pair of coils 16 and 11. Coil 16 is placed at right angles to the coil 11 and. both said coils are disposed in close proximity to one iii) another. The coil I6 is horizontally disposed and the other coil 11 is vertically disposed; coil TI is furnished with a tubular extension I8. Affixed to the extension I8 is a tubular chamber I9 provided with a passage 8i communicating with the extension 78 having a valve seating 33 (Fig. 18) with which is adapted to engage a valve 84, whereby passage of liquid or vaporized fuel to said extension I8 can be cut-oil. The valve 84 is controlled by the hand operable milled head 85. Affixed to the tubular chamber 79 is a gas nipple 81, the latter being located within a pocket 88 formed in the cover plate 66 to which atmospheric air has access.

With the gas nipple can be associated a cleaning needle 90 which is slidably mounted within the tubular chamber I9. Such needle 90 is adapted to be used for cleaning the gas nipple passage 9|; such needle 90 may be manually operated by a crank pin 92 working in the slot 93 of the block 94, said crank pin 92 being affixed to a disc 95 on the end of the rotatable rod 96 which has an operating handle 91.

Rigidly secured within the cylindrical space of the vertically disposed coil I! are a plurality of horizontally and radially disposed fins 98. One of the ends of such fins 98 is juxtaposed to the restricted end of a horizontally disposed truncated flue I 00. Facing the other end of the flue I00 is a cup IOI with radially disposed fins I02 for accelerating vaporization of the liquid fuel and for spreading flame therefrom to allow such flame to have better exposure to air before it enters the flue I00. Such cup I0! is formed in the wall of the liquid fuel reservoir I8. When the iron is placed in vertical position (Fig. 1'?) the cup IN is charged with methylated spirits which is lighted and the flame therefrom passes upwardly through the flue I00 and impinges against the vertically disposed coil TI and the fins. 98 attached thereto whereby the liquid fuel in the coil 11 will be vaporized.

The horizontally disposed coil It has afiixed thereto a flame spreader I03 which is slightly conical in shape.

Between the flue I00 and the cup I0! is located a shutter I the latter being pivotally mounted on the cover 66, whereby when the iron is in use entry of cold air to the flue I90 will be prevented and coming into contact with the vertically disposed coil The gas nipple 81 in the pocket 88 is juxtaposed to the open mouth of a mixing tube I01. The latter tube is coiled and located between the partition 68 and the cover 66. The exit opening of such mixing tube I01 has connected thereto a rose burner I08; such burner I08 protrudes through an opening I09 in the partition 68 and is located centrally of the horizontally disposed coil 16 whereby flame from the burner I08 may impinge against the horizontally disposed coil and the flame spreader I03 thereby maintaining vaporization of liquid fuel in the coil I6. The flame spreader I03 prevents a hotspot in the centre of the sole plate 62. A flame deflector and screen III] is associated with the burner I08.

The flame from the burner I08 impinges against the inner surface of the sole plate 62 of the iron as well as the fins 63 thereof, whereby said sole plate 62 is heated. Otherwise the modified construction of iron is operated in similar manner to the iron described hereinbefore in reference to Figs. 1 to 11 of the drawings.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A laundry iron including in combination a sole plate, a liquid-fuel reservoir supported at one end of and spaced from said sole plate, a delivery tube extending from said reservoir and above said sole plate, and a preheating cup having its axis substantially parallel with and above said sole plate and opening towards said delivery tube, whereby with said sole plate in vertical position the flame from preheating material in said cup will heat said delivery tube.

2. A laundry iron including in combination a sole plate, a liquid-fuel reservoir, and a circular burner substantially smaller than the width of said sole plate and supplied with fuel from said reservoir and discharging towards said sole plate, said sole plate having a substantially thickened portion in the path of flame from said burner, whereby the heat conductivity of the portion of the sole plate directly impinged upon by flame from said burner is substantially less than the heat conductivity of other portions of said sole plate.

3. A laundry iron including in combination a sole plate, a liquid-fuel reservoir, a circular burner substantially smaller than the width of said sole plate and supplied with fuel from said reservoir and discharging towards said sole plate, said sole plate having a substantially thickened portion in the path of flame from said burner, and a delivery tube extending from said reservoir to said burner, said thickened portion having a ramp face directed towards said delivery tube, whereby the heat conductivity of the portion of the sole plate directly impinged upon by flame from said burner is substantially less than the heat conductivity of other portions of said sole plate.

4. A laundry iron including in combination a sole plate, a liquid-fuel reservoir supported at one end of and spaced from said sole plate, a delivery tube extending from said reservoir and above said sole plate, and a preheating cup having its axis substantially parallel with and above said sole plate and opening towards said delivery tube, whereby with said sole plate in vertical position the flame from preheating material in said cup will heat said delivery tube, said delivery tube including a pair of juxtaposed coils disposed in horizontal and. vertical positions rerespectively and in the path of flame from said preheating material.

5. A laundry iron including in combination a sole plate, a liquid-fuel reservoir supported at one end of and spaced from said sole plate, a delivery tube extending from said reservoir and above said sole plate, a preheating cup having its axis substantially parallel with and above said sole plate and opening towards said delivery tube, whereby with said sole plate in vertical position the flame from preheating material in said cup will heat said delivery tube, a burner supplied with fuel by said delivery tube and discharging towards said sole plate, said delivery tube including a pair of juxtaposed coils disposed in horizontal and vertical positions respectively and in the path of flame from said preheating material, and a spreader carried by said horizontally disposed coil in the path of discharge from said burner.

6. A laundry iron including in combination a sole plate, a liquid-fuel reservoir supported at one end of and spaced from said sole plate, a delivery tube extending from said reservoir and above said sole plate, a preheating cup having its axis substantially parallel with and above said til) sole plate and opening towards said delivery tube, whereby with said sole plate in vertical position the flame from preheating material in said cup will heat said delivery tube, said delivery tube including a pair of juxtaposed coils disposed in horizontal and vertical positions respectively and in the path of flame from said preheating material, a plurality of horizontally and radially disposed heat-radiating fins in said vertical coil, an open-ended cone-shaped flue in line with said fins, and a movable shutter for controlling gas flow through said flue.

7. A laundry iron including in combination a sole plate, a liquid-fuel reservoir supported at one end of and spaced from said sole plate, a delivery tube extending from said reservoir and above said sole plate, valve means connected with said delivery tube, said delivery tube including a pair of juxtaposed coils disposed in horizontal and Vertical positions respectively, a tubular extension connected with the outlet end of said vertical coil and having a valve seat adjacent said outlet end, said valve means including an adjustable valve cooperating with said valve seat to control fuel flow from said vertical coil into said tubular extension, a tubular chamber in open communication with said tubular extension, and an apertured nipple in an end wall of said tubular chamber and controlling fuel flow therefrom.

8. A laundry iron including in combination a sole plate, a liquid-fuel reservoir supported at one end of and spaced from said sole plate, a delivery tube extending from said reservoir and above said sole plate, valve means connected with said delivery tube, said delivery tube including a pair of juxtaposed coils disposed in horizontal and vertical positions respectively, a tubular extension connected with the outlet end of said vertical coil and having a valve seat adjacent said outlet end, said valve means including an adjustable valve cooperating with said valve seat to control fuel flow from said vertical coil into said tubular extension, a tubular chamber in open communication with said tubular extension, an aperture nipple in an end wall of said tubular chamber and controlling fuel flow therefrom, a block movable longitudinally in said tubular chamber, a needle carried by said block in line with said nipple aperture, a crank engaging said block, and an operating rod extending from said crank through a wall of said chamber for external operation to clean said nipple by movement of said needle by said crank into said nipple aperture.

9. In a laundry iron, the combination of a sole plate, a burner for projecting combustible mixture towards said sole plate, said sole plate having a horizontal active position and a vertical inactive position with said burner in operation, and a preheating cup adjacent the lower end of said sole plate and opening upwardly for the inactive position of said sole plate.

10. A laundry iron including in combination a sole plate, a liquid-fuel reservoir supported at one end of and spaced from said sole plate, a delivery tube extending from said reservoir and above said sole plate, and a preheating cup having its axis substantially parallel with and above said sole plate and opening towards said delivery tube, said preheating cup being adjacent the reservoir end of said delivery tube, whereby with said sole plate in vertical position and in preheating said delivery tube the outlet portion thereof is spaced a substantial distance above said preheating cup and in the highly heated zone of action of burning fuel in said preheating cup.

JAMES SELDON BAKER.

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